St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-11-20
production of the tragedy which, with
handsome Downing as Spartacus, was
successful from the very start.


handsome Downing as Spartacus, was
successful from the very start.
THE OPENING ENGAGEMENT
was for two weeks run at the Chicago
opera house, a year ago last AuguSt.and
it was then, and has since been, what is
termed phenomenal success.
The production of the play was rev.
elation to the Old-time theater gOers who
had seen Forrest and Mccullough in it.
Neither of those actors availed them
selves in the slightest manner of the
great inducements the tragedy offered
for scenic effect, though it might be said,
as far as Forrest was concerned, that in
his day the average theater gOer cared
more for true artistic merit than he did
for fine scenery Mccullough, however,
presented the tragedy for several years
after Forests death, and speaking OF
him in connection with the role recalls
the facts that it was the last one In
which he appeared. Mccullough did
not appear in it as often as he did some OF
his other plays, "Virginiusl' fol instance,
with which his name was more prom
inently identified. In this age of prog
ress, however, something more is de-
manded, or, rather, expected, i'll the
way of mounting the heavier plays,
though none of the tragic attractions
does it, with perhaps the exception OF
Booth and Barrett, and those two artists
did not do it during their engagement
here, as their special scenery for Julius
Cesar-the only play of their repertoire
which they pretend to mOunt-WaS not
ready until in time fer their Chicago
engagement.
Manager Mack has anticipated the
public'S wants and he has sought to
give them what they desire. That he
has admirably succeeded is surely at
tested by the enormous success OF ms
star and the magnificent production
with which he has surrounded
him. 1t was one of the greatest
hits at the Star theater, New York. the
''swell'' tragedy house of that city, last
year, and that too after following Edwin
Booth, Henry Irving, Wilson Barrett,
Sarah Bernhardt and other eminent
stars.
The production, as it will be seen here
this week, will be on the same magnifi-
cent scale as when seen during its very
successful engagements at the Star and
and NiblO'S theaterS, New York city.
the Boston theater, Boston, and the
Chestnut Street opera house, Philadel-
phia, followed by extended engagements
in the largest cities and principal thea
tiers only. He has everywhere been eX-
tended ovations, and it is conceded by
the critics that he has every requisite of
talent and physique to carry him as high
as his ambition may lead him. The sale
of seats for Mr.. DOwning'S engagement
has opened very briskly and the pros
poets point to a very large week.
PEOPLES THEATER.
The past week at the above house has
been in every way satisfactory, and the
,,f 10 fro nd
the coming week to please their numer-
Gus patrons, by producing II. j. ByrOn's
great comedy success, entitled "Our
Boys" which was produced in London
every night for nearly five years, and in
New York for 400 consecutive nights,
which is the longest Iun of any play
ever produced. Mr.. Barbour will pOr-
tray the character of Perkyn Middle
wick, retired butterman, in which he
has made quite a reputation in the East.
The character of Mary Mclrose, poor
relative will, receive due attention by
Miss Wellesley. The other members of
the company in the cast are Messrs.
Shaw, Cope, Fernandez, Haskell and
Hart. also Miss Cora Strong, a new ac-
QUESTION to the company, who will make
her first appearance, together with
Misses Forsyth and Clifford, making an
exceptionally strong cast. This bill
will no doubt fill the house nightly.
There will be an extra matinee on
Thanksgiving day Thursday, besides
the regular Tuesday and Saturday mat
inees.
NOTES.
"Fogg's Ferry" play that has at
tracted considerable attention, will be
presented at the Pence opera house the
first half of this week. Little Bare
foot" will be given the last half. Both
PLAYS are excellent and will no doubt
draw large houses.
That sterling actor, William Harris,
is supporting Robert Downing this
season, playing Phosarius. Mr.. Harris
has been leading support to our most
eminent stars. Stalwart Harry Mere
dith is also member of the company
and plays the Roman Praetor Crassus.
Pretty Matte Earle. who made pro-
nOunced hit while playing the opposite
character to Effie EllSler in "WOman
Against Woman" is playing Sonona in
1.-THE Gladiator in support to Robert
Downing.
Robert Downing is now, since the
death of John Mccullough, the only
purely heriOc actor on the American
stage. A great success awaits him in
such roles as Othello, King Lear, Corio
Janus and others of the heroic order.
The Theater Comique presents great
bill this week. The Watson sisters,
known as the ''Female Models" have
been engaged. Tuesday evening there
will be benefit for Samuel Yager.
Robert Downing is considered the
tragedian ON the stage.